Son of a nutcracker! How does Christmas always manage to sneak up on me? Hard to believe it's been and gone already.
This year we continued our tradition of attending St. Paul's Christmas Eve service, which is the church just down the street from our house. We used to go to St. Philip's but it's been so busy the last few years that you have to arrive super early (who is organized enough for that?!) and you're squished in like sardines. The last time we went, we weren't there early enough and were turned away from the door. In contrast, St. Paul's is way more relaxing. The community there is very welcoming - they hand out hot cider and cookies during the service, and are very joyful in their worship. I'm a bit more reserved but I do enjoy the spirit they bring to things.
After church we went back to our house for some snacks and a visit. Wicket got gussied up in his Christmas sweater. He does look fantastic in a turtleneck, and he knows it too. It was nice to have some quiet time visiting with the folks.
The next day we puttered around the house for awhile then did something I've never done before - gone to the movie theatre on Christmas Day. I have to say, I did feel some guilt going. I mean, it would suck to have to work on Christmas Day and we were helping to create demand for it. But it was kind of fun to hang out with Dennis and take in a show. We saw the final Hobbit movie. I wasn't expecting much and there were probably more sword fights and Orcs that I would have liked but overall it was a good movie.
Later that day we went over to mom and dad's to have turkey dinner and open gifts. Everyone was so kind and thoughtful with their gifts. I don't think I did my best work this year. My head has been too much into worrying about my surgery to really be on point with my gift game, unfortunately. (Now I know how my mom felt the year she had hip surgery. She left dad in charge of gifts and it was interesting, to say the least.) One of the things I love is that my parents and Tracy always buy a gift for Wicket. The way to my heart is definitely through my Boo Boo Bear! It means so much to me that they love him as much as I do.
And that was it! We went out for a little bit today but quickly tired of all the bargain hunters. It's nice to have some time to deeply relax - no agenda, no frantic to-do list. Just puttering as we like and giving in to whimsy as it strikes.
This year we continued our tradition of attending St. Paul's Christmas Eve service, which is the church just down the street from our house. We used to go to St. Philip's but it's been so busy the last few years that you have to arrive super early (who is organized enough for that?!) and you're squished in like sardines. The last time we went, we weren't there early enough and were turned away from the door. In contrast, St. Paul's is way more relaxing. The community there is very welcoming - they hand out hot cider and cookies during the service, and are very joyful in their worship. I'm a bit more reserved but I do enjoy the spirit they bring to things.
After church we went back to our house for some snacks and a visit. Wicket got gussied up in his Christmas sweater. He does look fantastic in a turtleneck, and he knows it too. It was nice to have some quiet time visiting with the folks.
The next day we puttered around the house for awhile then did something I've never done before - gone to the movie theatre on Christmas Day. I have to say, I did feel some guilt going. I mean, it would suck to have to work on Christmas Day and we were helping to create demand for it. But it was kind of fun to hang out with Dennis and take in a show. We saw the final Hobbit movie. I wasn't expecting much and there were probably more sword fights and Orcs that I would have liked but overall it was a good movie.
Later that day we went over to mom and dad's to have turkey dinner and open gifts. Everyone was so kind and thoughtful with their gifts. I don't think I did my best work this year. My head has been too much into worrying about my surgery to really be on point with my gift game, unfortunately. (Now I know how my mom felt the year she had hip surgery. She left dad in charge of gifts and it was interesting, to say the least.) One of the things I love is that my parents and Tracy always buy a gift for Wicket. The way to my heart is definitely through my Boo Boo Bear! It means so much to me that they love him as much as I do.
And that was it! We went out for a little bit today but quickly tired of all the bargain hunters. It's nice to have some time to deeply relax - no agenda, no frantic to-do list. Just puttering as we like and giving in to whimsy as it strikes.